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Cruise Ship Passenger Medical Malpractice Claims Aggressive & Honest Representation

Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Attorney

Can I Sue a Cruise Line for Medical Malpractice?

All cruise ships should have a medical team to ensure the safety and health of their passengers. If you experienced illness while on the cruise ship or believe that your medical condition was handled negligently, then you may be able to hold sue the cruise line for medical malpractice.

Do you have a valid cruise ship medical malpractice lawsuit? Consider the following important questions:

  • Did the medical staff diagnose you incorrectly?
  • Did you experience pain or injury after receiving medical care onboard the ship?
  • Did your symptoms worsen during the cruise?
  • Did you require emergency hospitalization?

Have you experienced medical malpractice while on a cruise ship? Contact the cruise ship medical malpractice attorney at Rash Mueller by calling (954) 914-7116 today!

What is the Barbetta Rule?

In 1988, the ruling on the case of Barbetta v. S/S Bermuda Star determined that cruise ship companies were not in direct control of medical staff aboard their ships. Instead, onboard nurses and doctors were to be seen as independent contractors, not necessarily employees.

This mandate disallowed any responsibility or liability for cruise ship medical malpractice cases to be passed onto the cruise ship company. People injured onboard cruise liners and subsequently mistreated by medical staff there were unlikely to find suitable compensation for their injuries.

A recent ruling by the 11th United States Court of Appeals, however, has brought a welcome change to the Barbetta ruling, citing it as outdated. It has been argued that modern cruise ships are essentially "floating cities" with state-of-the-art and well-stocked infirmaries. The medical staff working aboard them are not independent contractors but instead true employees of the companies who own the vessels on which they work.

List of Cruise Ship Accidents

Millions of people set sail on a cruise ship every year. With so many people entrusting cruise liners with their health and wellbeing, it is of utmost importance for safety protocols to be constantly met, and for medical staff to be properly trained.

When and if an accident does occur, it can be seen as simply unreasonable to place all liability on the injured party, especially when medical malpractice makes the situation worse. Some of the most commonly reported cruise injuries are linked to:

  • Food poisoning
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Legionnaires' Disease
  • Broken railings
  • On-board fires
  • Unsecured objects

Whether your injury was caused by general negligence of the cruise ship company or made worse by the medical malpractice of those who treated you, the responsible parties must be held accountable. Our firm can carefully assess the details of your case to determine the most effective strategies. At the end of the day, our mission is and always will be to protect and uphold your best interests.

Cruise Ship Drowning Claims

Pool accidents that cause a drowning can stem from numerous situations and cruise ship employees and management have a duty of care to ensure a safe environment for their passengers. When negligent actions or hazardous conditions are allowed to exist on a cruise ship and an accident occurs, those responsible must be held accountable.

Like accidents which occur on land, there are regulations intended to keep pool drownings from happening. When events such as regular inspections and maintenance are ignored, the likelihood of accidents increases. Accidents can stem from hazardous conditions such as:

  • Missing safety equipment such as life jackets
  • Pool overcrowding
  • Lack of visibility due to unclean water
  • Broken equipment such as pool ladders
  • Faulty pool drain covers
  • Failure to correctly indicate pool depth

Allow our firm to worry about gathering and using evidence to your advantage, such as:

  • Testimonies from passengers and/or crew
  • Physical evidence
  • Your medical record after the incident
  • Onboard security personnel statements
  • Criminal records and/or personnel records of the assaulter
  • Security and closed-circuit TV footage from the cruise ship

Get Help Today

Passengers rely heavily on cruise ship medical staff to treat their injuries competently. There are limited options out at sea, so it is crucial that cruise line staff respond to your medical needs promptly and professionally. Talk to a Weston cruise ship medical malpractice attorney at Rash Mueller to help you determine whether or not you have a valid claim. We can review your case and file a claim on your behalf.

Call (954) 914-7116 for the professional legal guidance you need. Initiation consultations are always free!

Hundreds of Millions Won on Behalf of Our Clients

  • $14,000,000 Trucking Crash Case
  • $19,500,000 Medical Malpractice
  • $9,000,000 Maritime Claim

Hear From Our Happy Clients

At Rash Mueller, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    "Highly recommended. They are professional, accommodating, and great with communication."
    They are the best! Highly recommended. They are professional, accommodating, and great with communication. I would not go to anyone else.
    - Brandon
    "e was a godsend to us in a time of extreme duress. If you are looking for an excellent attorney, look no further. 5 STARS!"
    David Rash is the kindest and most professional lawyer we have ever worked with. He is always timely in his responses to us and incredibly thorough. His experience and intelligence in his dealings makes working with him very easy. He was a godsend to us in a time of extreme duress. If you are looking for an excellent attorney, look no further. 5 STARS!
    - Mindy A.
    "He’s a good guy and very very good at what he does!"
    I can’t thank David Rash enough for everything he has done for me! Not only did he go out of his way to make sure I got everything I deserved, David was very caring and polite. He went out of his way to keep me informed and just to check in on my health. He’s a good guy and very very good at what he does! A+! If you want someone that actually cares, go with Rash Mueller. Thanks again David.
    - Jordan
    "My case was complicated to move forward due to other reasons..but she ain’t never let me down when speaking to her!"
    When I say..you’ve reached the right people..ur lucky to be in contact with them!! Although they couldn’t help me with my case..Leading up to the decision lori kept in contact, showed empathy, was straight forward with all detail! Lori told me more than my own drs or the hospital did..I have closure because of HER! So I still won! My case was complicated to move forward due to other reasons..but she ain’t never let me down when speaking to her! She speaks to you as if she knew you forever! I appreciate this firm so much because before they say NO..they try, the listen and the put work in!!! Thank you guys so much for everything!
    - Adrian B.
    "I so appreciate their kindness, genuine compassion, and “got my back” attitude."
    From the first phone conversation with Lori, to the first time meeting with David and Jeff, all the way through and to the conclusion of my case, I felt as if these people truly cared about what happened to me. They didn’t just see a potential “case”. They were upset with my situation. They wanted to help. Through the years that this whole process takes, I have gotten to know them a bit better, and they have gotten to know me. I now consider them less “my legal team”, and more a part of my extended family, whether they realize it, or like it, or not. I so appreciate their kindness, genuine compassion, and “got my back” attitude. I hope you are never in a situation to need these folks, but if you ever are, I highly recommend talking to them and seeing if it’s a right fit for all.
    - Joel F.
    "Wonderful team! Great group of people, very attentive to clients."
    Wonderful team! Great group of people, very attentive to clients, left us with no doubts in our process and stood by us til everything was taken care of. Would definitely recommend to others!!!
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    "Most professional lawyer we have ever worked with!"
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    - Mindy A.
    "Wonderful team! Great group of people, very attentive to clients!"
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    - Jennica P.

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